Traffic signal



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C. H. PATTERSON TRAFFIG s'IGNAL Filed Oct. 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Aug. 4, 1925o UNITED s'rarss CHARLES H. PATTERSQN, 03T LEADER,MINNESOTA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed Uctoocr 24, 1923.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that CHARLES H. PATTERSON,

a citizen of the United States of America7 residing at Leader, in thecounty of Cass 6 and State of Minnesota, has invented new and usefulImprovements in Traiiic Signals, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient trafficsignal which may be readily operated by the driver of a motor vehiclewith the minimum distraction of attention and diversion yof effort fromthe manipulation of the steering wheel Aof the vehicle whereby followingand approaching vehicles and pedestrians may be advised of the intentionof the driver in the matter of changing direction of progress or ofstopping or reducing the speed of movement to minimize risk of collisionand confusion in congested thoroughfare; and moreover to provide adevice which may be applied with the minimum of preparation to any ofthe conventional forms of vehicles under conditions assuring the properfunctioning thereof; and with these objects in vie-w the. Vinventionconsists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferredembodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is aside view, and

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a signal embodying theinvention.

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views respectively on theplanes indicated by the lines 3 3 and 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an inner end view of the device.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the means whereby the casing issecured to the bracket arm.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the plane indicated by theline 7 -7 of Fig ure 2.

The device consists essentially of a tubu- 45 lar bracket arm 10 withwhich may be associated clamps 11 for engagement with an interposed wallor element 12 of the vehicle,

a casing 13 carried by said bracket arm and provided with front and rearwindows 14 50 consisting of light penetrable panels of glass or itsequivalent.y a signal head l5 having a tubular spindle 16 mounted in andeXtend ing through the bracket arm 10, an operating handle 17 secured tothe inner end of 55 said spindle. The lighting unit 18 consist- SerialNo. 670,552.

ing of an electric bulb orits equivalent is arranged within the headwith the conductor wires 19 thereof extending through the tubularspindle and serve either by the magneto or battery or by the lightingsystem of the vehicle.

The bracket arm is provided with a disk head 2O having the perihperalgroove `21 for the reception of a bead 22 at the inner end of the casing14, said inner end preferably being split as indicated at 23 to permitit to expand and contract, and a locking ring 2st is fitted in the beadfor contraction by the shackle 25 to lock the casing to the disk headwhile permitting removal thereof with facility when access to theinterior of the signal is desired.

The signal head consists of a plurality of panels preferably havingduplicates arranged in diametrically opposite positions 7 and with theseveral interchangeable panels respectively designated and covered ordistinguished in such a way as to attract attention for respective orselective display through the panels of the casing so that by turningthe spindle it may be possible to display forwardly and rearwardly asignal indicating the intention of the operator to turn to the right orleft according to the direction in which the arrow points, or the wordStop or its equivalent to indicate the intention of the driver to checkor reduce or terminate the forward motion of the vehicle, In theconstruction illustrated this signal head ofA which the pedals are lightpenetrable to permit the light of the lamp or signal unit to shinetherethrough and display the coloring thereof as well as such words oremblems as may appear thereon, is of cylindrical form and is threaded atits inner end as indicated at 26 into the hub of a disk 27 at theadjacent end of the tubular spindle so that the detachment thereof maybe effected when required for repair or replacement.

The handle or operating element 17 is an integral radial projection ofthe disk 27 and the hub of the latter is provided with a spring-actuatedpawl 29 engaging the teeth 30 on the extremity of the tubular bracketarm 10 but these teeth are channeled so as to permit the pawl to snapfrom one to the other as the handle is being actuated, so that there maybe maintained any desired adjustment against displacement by thevibration of the car or vehicle While permitting of adjustment Withoutobjectionable effort on the part of the operator.

It will further be understood that Whereas the operating means hereinrepresented as the handle 17 may be directly manipulated bythe operatorif the signalling device is located in such a position as to be readilyreached, other suitable or conventional "".1 means for communicatingmotion thereto may be employed Where it is desirable to locate thesignal at a point more or less remote from the drvers seat.

Having described the invention, What' is claimed as new and `useful is ll. A tratic signal having a casing provided with light penetrablepanels, a tubularl bracket arm for supporting the casing and havingmeans for attachmentto a. vehicle, a revoluble signal head mountedWithin the casing and having a spindle mounted in said bracket arm, thesignal head being provided with Vpanels `tor selective arrangement inregistration with the panels of `the casing, and means for turning thesignal head, the

bracket arm being provided at its outer end with a disk head, and thecasing having a split inner end fitted upon said disk head and having aninterlocking engagement therewith.

2. A trailic signal'having a casing pro# vided with light penetrablepanels, a tubw lar bracket arm for supporting the easing and havingmea-ns for attachment to a vehi cle, a revoluble signal head mountedWithin the casing and having a spindle enclosed by said bracket arm, thesignal being provided VWith panels for selective arrangement inregistration with the panels of the casing,"a disk having a radialactuating handle and a hub fitted upon the extremity of said spindle,and a spring-actuated pawl carried by the hub of said disk, that end`oli the bracket arm remote from the casing being provided With teethwith which said pawl engages to maintain the angular position of thesplndle after operation by said handle.

In testimony whereof he aixes his signature.

CHARLES `H. PATTERSON.

